Monday, October 4, 2010

Welcome to the big leagues Mr. Hobbs

First week under a coach [and I'm already belly aching] and I don't know where I'm going [on the clickety clack express] but I know I'm gonna get there [what the?].  I'd like to interview Coach Parker for my blog and [at no extra-charge to me] the Coach has agreed.

Did 7.3 k (4.5 mi) at base pace and then ran some 30 meter striders and then some drills.  I was surprised that I had so much energy after about 45 mins of running to run these sprints.  Ran through a wet soccer field and boy do I not like wet toes on a 4°C (39°F) morning!  The drills left me a little winded - although the high heels drill was pretty arousing!

The Garmin actually tracked the striders pretty well.  The screencap of the action is below.  I am so impressed with my Garmin 405 that I have called my lawyer and will be writing it into my will.
Of the three thousand points we will work on in our 16 [how many?] or so weeks I have to:

  • keep loosing weight
  • run with good form
  • continue to do weights and workouts
  • monitor carbohydrate:protein:fat ratios
  • eat at key times of the day
  • combine running and weights on some days!
  • monitor absolutely everything [I need to store all my poo for one week and send it to SUAR for analysis - I'm telling you this Coach is serious]
  • most importantly - run at the assigned pace, for the assigned distance

24 comments:

ShutUpandRun said...

Wow, Coach Parker has some man hands! I've met her in person and I'm pretty sure her hands looked more girly. Maybe she changed moisturizers?

Excited for you as you start this journey with your Coach!

Unknown said...

running the assigned pace takes practice. but it pays off in the end!

misszippy said...

I am dizzy looking at that map! Have fun with your coach.

Matty O said...

Listen to her!

Running at the prescribed paces for the prescribed times. That is key. It took me a long time to get this through my ignorant head.

KovasP said...

Hmmm...I think I need to see video of this arousing high heels drill.

Jennifer said...

Coach Parker looks serious! I bet she'll whip you into shape in no time- Nice job on the workout, keep it up and I bet Parker will be out of a job soon!

AnnaMac said...

Sounds like a great plan. Good luck!

Raegun said...

Sounds like she's going to keep you on the track, even though you may not know the final destination yet. Andrew, please please do a review of your Garmin sometime soon.

Ewa said...

So who gets your Garmin after you drop dead from training exhaustion?
Good luck. Hope it gets warmer for you.

Jill said...

You forgot she also removed all alcohol!!

Andrew Opala said...

Ah yes, I thought there might be one week with alcohol somewhere down the road - so I didn't mention it.

I guess not.

Doesn't matter though - I'm far too tired to drink anything but water and Gatorade.

Teamarcia said...

A drill that arouses has got to be worth it's weight in gold!

Andrew Opala said...

I'll see if I can get my wife to do it for me this evening - FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY!

Molly said...

that's great you've got a coach! I'm a bit jealous!!

Anne said...

How perfect that Jill will be coaching you...she's so awesome. You're going to see quick improvement I'm sure.

(I am way behind, but) How did I miss the t-shirt post ages ago!! What a great idea and wow, what an honor to be a part of it and to have been there with you (sort of) when you PR'd...yay!

Adrienne said...

Hmmm. Coach says no alcohol huh? I told you that for free! I'm sending you a bill :) Running at race pace for specific distance is the most important--sounds like your on you way (I have a feeling it will get worse [I mean better] from here).

Caratunk Girl said...

Awesome that you have a coach! That will help keep you on track and she will amend your training as your fitness increases! Awesome.

Anonymous said...

andrew, you are doing awesome! and best of luck with the coaching.. it sure can be challenging.

xo

Julie said...

Wow! I wish I had a coach to boss me around:) Good luck with the training! You are going to improve so much! Have fun and kick some butt!

Chris K said...

I'm totally loving "the plan". That's kinda my life plan. BTW, since I am one of your original Followers, am I correct in assuming that you will bequeth the 405 to me.

The Green Girl said...

In response to your comment on Glenn's post, all this time, I was under the impression that ibuprofen was a pain killer.

With that being said, if it's the only thing that helps my tension headaches, would you recommend ice for headache relief? I've tried icing my wrists and it helps temporarily but it doesn't seem to 'cure' the headache.

Alan said...

Your title got me to click. I love The Natural!

Johann said...

Wow, this is serious stuff! I've never had a coach. I'm coach scarred since high school so just coach myself. I'm sure you'll see unbelievable improvements in the next few months.

Lucas R. Tucker said...

Serious training...I love it (except the saving poo part). I hope I will be able to get a coach for the first of the year.